Combination trailer and semitrailer



, Nov. 8, 1932.

E. B. COLLINGE COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 3,1928

lll,...

Nov. 8, 1932.- E. B. coLLlNGE 1,887,113

COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER Filed Dec. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1932. E. a. coLLlNGE COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER 3i 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.

Juventa@ Nov. 8, 1932. E. B. coLLlNGE COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER Filed Deo. 3, 1928 G Sheets-*Sheet 4 idowa/e073. COLL/N65 SHQZHM Nov. 8, 1932.Y E. B. coLLlNGE COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER Filed Deo. 5, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 8, 1932. E. B. coLLlNGE 1,887,118

COMBINATION TRAILER AND SEMITRAILER Filed Dec. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 `l UNITED STATES PATENTl OFFICE EDWARD n. commer., lor' Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA i coMBINATroN TRAILER AND smn'ramn Application tiled December 3, 1928. Serial lo. 323,503.

This invention relates to an organization `or vehicle which is designed for the purpose of transporting heavy loads, and is more particularly confined to a vehicle which embodies 6 a truck or tractor used in combination with a so-called semi-trailer.

A semi-trailer as herein designated refers to a trailer adapted to be used in combination with a motor truck or tractor, the forward 10 end of the trailer being supported directly upon the rear end of the tractor; and fii'om the definition of the invention as a combination semi-trailer and trailerit is to be inferred that this invention relates to an orl ganization which may be employed with equal facility as a semi-trailer wherein the front end of the trailer is supported by the rear end of the truck or as a trailer which is independent-ly supported by a set of front and 23 rear wheels drawn by means of a truck through the medium of a suitable connection such as a tongue.

It is a well known fact that there are at this time various so-called semi-trailer organizations which are in commercial use and, although these organizations have met with a limited amount of success, they are handicapped by certain undesirable fea-tures which it is an object of this invention to eliminate.

Trailers of the class described which are now in common use embody a truck or tractor member, the rear end of which carries a turntable having downwardly extending inclined planes, and the semi-trailer member embodies an organization having a set of small auxiliary front wheels which are adapted to be raised out of engagement -with the ground and which support the forward end of a frame. The frame in turn is provided with a set of rollers adapted to ride upon the mentioned downwardly extending inclined plane or planes 'on the rear end of the truck and', by the rearward movement of this plane beneath the mentioned rollers, the front end of 'l the semi-trailer is adapted to be lifted to a.

beneath the rollers with sufficient force to ele- Y vate the front endof the trailer. It will be apparent in such an organization that the a further undesirable feature in that it is necessary to have the tractor and the trailer in exact alignment before they can be properly 05 assembled.

It is a well known fact among those familiar with the art that the load which a truck or a truck and trailer organization is permitted to carry is restricted by the area of the tire surface which is on contact with road or pavement, and in semi-trailer organizations such as are now in use, in which the front end of the trailer is carried by a set of small auxiliary Wheels, it is impossible to use a trailer of this character independently ksupported for the transportation of heavy loads as would be necessary in using the trailer not as a semi but as a self-supporting unit.

A still further disadvantage in semi-trailer organizations such as are in common use resides in the manner in which these trailers are locked to the tr-actor member, in as much as these organizations are so constructed that any dislodgement or disengagement of the locks which may be incurred through a sudden jolt or a twisting action between the tractor and the trailer will result in setting the trailer free, making the organization dangerous for use over rough or uneven roadwa s.

primary object of this invention is the production of a tractor and semi-trailer organization in which the front wheels of the trailer are standard tired wheels and in which the relative movement between the tractor and the trailer is effected by a positively driven power organization supported upon the rear end of the tractor.

The front wheels of the trailer are so con- 1b structed within the trailer frame that they are movable relativeto the rear wheels and may during the advance of the trailer upon the tractor, be retracted to a position in which they are supported by a.` pivoted member which admits the movement of the Wheels in a. vertical plane- It is a further object of the invention to provide the trailer with guide means whereby the movement of the front wheels of the trailer in a horizontal plane is prevented while the front wheels are in a retracted position but which isso formed as to admit the angular or pivotal movement of the mentioned front wheels when they are in a forward position.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a trailer of the class describedwith looking means adapted to co-operate with suitably formedyguide means for the purpose of holding the front wheels in a forward position or, when the trailer is mounted upon the truck, to hold the front wheels of the trailer in a retracted position.

It is a further object of the invention to develop locking means of this character which are adapted for the dual purpose of locking the trailer upon the tractor and locking the front wheels of the trailer in the two positions above described.

It frequently happens, in the use of semitrailers and tractor organizations of the character described, that it is inconvenient or impossible to align the tractor perfectly with the trailer and it also happens frequently that the front wheels of the trailer are at a different level from the rear wheels of the tractor, making it inconvenient and sometimes impossible for the front end of the trailer to be engaged by the lifting organization upon the rear end of the tractor.

It is therefore a still further obj ect of this invention to develop an organization of the class described in which the power driven trailer advancing organization may be angularly adjusted to receive the front end of the trailer from various positions and, in order to facilitate the reception of the front end of the trailer by the -trailer advancing organization, the forward end of the trailer is prolvided with flared sectionswhich engage the power driven advancing means as will be hereinafter described. To facilitate the placement of the trailer upon'A the tractor, when the front end ofthe trailer is supported at a different elevation from the rear end of the tractor, the power driven advancing means are provided with a vertical adjustment by means of which such means are raised or lowered to accommodate the position of the front end of the trailer frame.

A still further object ofv this invention is to provide a s-emi-trailer of the class described with a positive connection in the form of a tongue interposed between the front wheels of the trailer and the rear end of the truck which acts as a safety against the disengagement and consequent removal of the trailer and at the same time provides means whereby the trailer may be drawn independently as a self-supporting organization. It will be apparent that, through the improvements enumerated above in the obj ects of thisinvention, this invention embodies a tractor and trailer Vorganization which may be constructed to either a tractor or by a tractor and trailer assembly, since such an organization provides a unit having ten supporting wheels ,upon the roadway. Y

By using standard truck or trailer wheels for the support of the front end of the trailer unit, it will be understood that this unit may be used as a trailer upon the highway with any standard truck or tractor which is a feature of primary importance of this invention over semi-trailer units such as are now in common use. It will be understood, of course, that if the unit is to be used as a semi-trailer, the truclr or tractor must have the advancing mechanism mounted thereon. The advancing mechanism is arranged and adapted to be mounted on any standard truck.

The details in the construction of this inventionLand further objects attending its production, will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which are chosen f or illustrative purposes only and in which v Fig. 1 illustrates a tractor and trailer assembly of the class described showing the trailer connected to the tractor as an independent or self-supporting trailer.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 but shows the semi-trailer mounted upon the rear end, of the tractor and the front wheels in a retracted position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantiallv in a plane represented by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2 and showing the details in the construction of the power driven trailer advancing means, together with the vertical adjustment therefor.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational section which may be considered as having been taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 and illustrates the central Dortion of the assembled unit as shown in Fig. 2. y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the manner in which the forward end of the trailer is mounted upon the rear end of the tractor and may be considered `ash'aving been taken substantially in a plane represented by theI line 6-6 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a partial plan section taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 7 7 in Fig. 3 and illustrates the details in the construction of the trailer supporting organization showing the means for supporting a rotary table and the means for operating the power driven tra-iler advancing member.

Fig. 8 is an inverted plan View illustrating the forward end of the trailer and be considered as having been taken in the direction ofthe arrow 8- in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a partial elevational section illustrating the manner in which the trailer front wheel frame is mounted within the trailer frame. This view is taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 9 9 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view showing the rear end of the tractor and the forward end of the trailer in position prior to the advance of the trailer over the rear end of the tractor and illustrates the manner in which the power driven trailer advancing organization may be adjusted in a vertical plane to accommodate the trailer when it is supported in a diiferent plane from the tractor.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the construction of a preferred form of driving worm and driving pinion such as is employed in the power advancing organization used in myinvention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional plan view taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 12-12 in Fig. 11. i

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elevational view -partly in section illustrating a form of telescoping tongue such as may be used in connecting the front wheel frame of the trailer with the rear end of the tractor.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged plan View illustrating the details of a locking organization used in combination with this invention.

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation which may be considered as having been taken substantially in a plane represented by the line ifi-15 in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the manner in which the front wheel supporting rack in the trailer is constructed relative to the trailer frame and the fron wheel guide plates.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the manner in Which the trailer advancing organization may be angularly adjusted to accommodate the trailer when the trailer andtractor are in angular relation with each other.

Fig. 18 is an elevational view illustrating the power advancing means with a modified form of vertical adjustment. l y

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevation taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 19-19 in Fig. 18. Q

Fig. 20 is aplan view illustrating a trailer provided with a modified form of front Wheel retracting organization.

Fig. 21 is a. sectional elevation which may be considered as having been taken substantially in a plane represented by the line 21-21 in Fig. 20.l

More particularly describing the invention as herein illustrated, reference numeral 11 indicates a truck or tractor member and reference numeral 12 indicates a trailer member. The truck or tractor member 11 embodies a body 1.3 including a frame section 14, front wheels 15 and rear wheels 16.

The trailer member 12fcomprises a trailer frame 17, front wheels 18 and rear wheels 19. It will be noted from the ytwo positions of the front wheels shown in Figs. 1 and 2 that they are movable relative to therear wheels; and, from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, it will also be noted that, when the front wheels are in the retracted position, they are also movable in vertical planes relative to the rear wheels.

The construction by means of which both of the above mentioned movements are obtained will be hereinafter described. It will be sulicient to say at this time that the front wheels 18, which are suspended from a front wheel supporting frame 21, are connected through the supporting frame with the rear end of the tractor by means of a tongue and that, when the trailer member 12 is being assembled upon Vthe tractor member 11, the

tongue 22 being of a telescopic nature as indicated in Fig. 13) is placed in the position shown in Fig. 2, and while in such position holds the front wheels of the trailer in a substantially Xed position relative to the rear end of the tractor, thereby permitting a relative advance of the rear wheels 19 of the trailer toward the front wheels 18.

The power driven unit which has heretofore been mentioned as being carried by the rear end of the tractor 11 is indicated by reference numeral 25 and is best illustrated in Fig. 3. This unit embodies a pair of oppositely disposed gears 26 which are carried by a. suitable shaft 27 supported in bearings indicated at 28 and 29. The forward end of the trailer is provided with upwardly tapered racks indicated at 30 which are adapted to engage the gears 26 on the power unit 25.

It will be apparent that the relative movement effected between the tractor and the trailer by means of the power unit will, through the tapered construction of the forward end of the racks, be effective to elevate the -front end of the trailer to the position shown in Fig. 2.

It will also be noted in Figs. 1 and 2, and is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, that the rack members, on the trailer extend rearwardly a substantial distance, and the front wheel supporting frame 21y is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed gears 32 which engage this frame during the retraction of the front wheels and that the rear section of this trailer supported rack, indicated by reference numeral 33 in Fig. 4, is pivoted to the main trailer frame at34, thus permitting the vertical movement of the front wheels when in a retracted position as was heretofore mentioned.

The details in the construction of the power unit and the tractor and semi-trailer assembly are best illustrated in Figs. 3 to 11, inclusive, wherein the trailer frame 17 is illustrated as embodyingl a pair of oppositely disposed channels indicated at 40 which are connected in any suitable manner such as by means of transverse channels indicated at 4l.

A pair of oppositely disposed guide plates, indicated at 42. are attached to theinner surface of channels 40, a-nd the purpose of these guide plates, as has been-heretofore suggested and will be hereinafter explained, is to hold the front wheel supporting frame 21 in substantially-parallel, relation with the rear wheels when this frame is in a retracted position.

The racl members generally indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 by reference numeral 30 .embody oppositely disposed angles 43, the forward sections of which are rigidly attached to the inner faces of the channels 40 or the plate ,members 42, the lower edges thereof being provided with the racks indicated at 45. As was previously mentioned, the rear section of the rack members 30 are separate. from the forward section pivotally connected with the side channels 40. These members may be in the form of channels as indicated at 46 in Fig. 16 and are provided with transverse interconnecting channels indicated by reference numeral 47.

A pair of Z-shaped frames, indicated by reference numeral 50, are mounted upon the lower surfaces of the transverse members 41 and co-operate with similar frames 50 mounted upon the lower surfaces of the transverse members 47 to provide a guide passage 52 which` is adapted to receive locking pins 53 and 53 mounted upon the rear end of the tractor and the trailer front wheel supporting frame, respectively, as will be hereinafter described. n

As is illustrated in Fig. 8, the forward ends a of the rack members 45 are outwardly flared to more readily admit the reception of the gears 26 and it will also be noted that the forward ends a of the Z-members 50 are flared outwardly to cci-operatively 'aid in the rece tion of the pin 53., The bottom sections 54 o the Z-members 50, which define the passage 52 therebetween, are upwardly provided with locking plates indicated at 55 and 55 which are adapted to engage and retain the pins 53 and 53 when the members 53 and 53 have reached the relative positions indicated in Fig. 5. The construction and operation of these locking plates is best illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 and will be hereinafter described in detail.

The frame section 14 of the tractor unit 11 embodies oppositely disposed channel members 60.` A portion of the upper ange 61 of these channels is removedfor the purpose of admitting vertical guide angles 62 as is best illustrated in Fig. 4.

The power driving organization 25 is mounted between these guides angles, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, and embodies as heretofore indicated the shaft 27 which carries the gears 26 and is supported in bearings 28 and 29.

The bearings 28 and 29 are mounted upon what may be termed a. rotating table indicated at 62. This table is supported through the medium of a plurality of rollers 63 retained within a roller 'plate 64 upon a substantially square bearing plate 65. It will be noted ythat the bearing plate 65 has a central aperture hub 66 which extends upwardly through a corresponding aperture '65 in the turntable or rotary plate 62.

Mounted below the bearing plate 65, and in fixed relation therewith, is a worm unit generally indicated by reference numeral 7 O. This unit embodies `a housing 71 containing a worm 72 adapted to receive rotation through a shaft 73 with which it is connected by means of a spline and swivel joint 74.

It will be understood that the shaft 73 is adapted to receive rotation from the power unit of the truck, being connected to the transmission in any conventional manner well known to those familiar with the art. The worm 72 is adapted to drive a worm wheel 75 within which a substantially square or polygonal shaft 76 is rigidly mounted.

The shaft 76 extends upwardly in coaxial relation with the hub 66' in the bearing plate 65 and is adapted to receive a vertical drive shaft 77, the lower end of which is lin the form of a sleeve having a polygonal recess therein which co-operates with the vertical shaft 76 to receive a positive driving movement from the worm wheel 75. This construction is best illustrated in Fig. 11 where it will be noted that the upper end of the vertical shaft 77 is provided with a bevel gear 78;V and, returning to Fig. 3, the bevel gear 78 is adapted to engage a corresponding bevel gear 79 mounted upon the transverse power shaft 27.

It will be understood from this construction that the power unit of the truck, op-

Aio

member- 11.

`means l erating."through` the l"shaft 73 and the spline ,coupling 74, drives-the worm wheel 7,5 and thereby is -effective Ato rotate the shaft 27 which, when the racks 45 are in engagement with the gears 26, results vin a relative movement between the trailer -1-7 and the tractor tween a housing bearing plate 80 vwhich is spaced below the square bearing plate 65'by means such as channels indicated at 81. The bearing plate 80 in turn rests upon a bottom l bearing plate 83 which is .also spaced below the upper bearing plate 65 by means of chan- A i nels 84.

Thebottom bearing plate 83,'in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4, rests upon the upperend of a plunger 86 emj bodied in a hydraulic hoist generally indil cated by reference numeral 87. It will be understood that this hoist may be of any preferred construction and is illustrated as comprising a housing 88, a piston 89, the

plunger 86 and a pump 90 adapted to circulatel fluid from the upper part of the housing tothe lower part thereof, and to effect thereby a vertical adjustment of the power unit 25.

It will be understood that this vertical adjustment, which is effected by means of the hoist, is used only in obtaining the correct position of the gears 26 relative to the rack members 30 during the assembly of the unit and that, when the semi-trailer and tractor are being used for the purpose of transmitting loads, the organization is lowered to the position shownin Fig. 3 wherein it will be noted that I-beams 92 are provided upon the upper surfaces of the lower flanges 93 of the channels 60 and are so positioned as to support the outer edges of the bearing plates 65 when the organization is in lowered position.

As a further precaution against rupture of the unit through twisting due Vto uneven roads, etc., the rotary plate or upper turn table 62 is so positioned relative tothe bear.- ing plate 65 that there is a very slight clearance of, say, one-sixteenth of an inch between the outer edge of the rotary plate 62 'and the upper edge vof the channels 60; and to increase the strength of the unit and the supporting surface at this point, the outer surface of the channels 60 are provided with angles indicated by reference numeral 95. Y The hydraulic hoist 87 is supported by means of a U-shaped plate 96, the opposite edges of which areattached to the channel members 60 in any suitable manner. As was heretofore suggested, and as is best illustrated in Fig. 7, the -square bearing plate 65 has its corners'retained by the guide angles 62, and from this construction it will be understood that the bearing plate may be elevated by means of the hydraulic hoist to a substantial distance above the tractor frames f as indicated in Fig. 1 0. v

Fig. 7 also illustrates a preferred manner of supporting the rotary plate upon the square bearing plateand shows the intermediate plate 64 which i's provided with a plurality of segmental apertures 97 adapted to receive the rollers 63. This structure permits the rotary table bearing the shaft 27. and the gears 26 to be adjusted at various angles relative to the position of the tractor. In view of the fact that the trailer is drawn upon the tractor by means of a power unit,'the tractor and semi-trailer may be assembled when in angularly disposed positions rela-4- tive to each other as shown in Fig. 17.-

' The hydraulic hoist 87 may be operated in any preferred manner such as by means of a motor. A preferred manner of operating the hoist is, however, through a transmission `driven shaft 100 connected to the pump through a spline and swivel coupling 101.

The locking pin 53, which is carried upon the rear end .of the tractor 14, may be attached thereto in any preferred manner but is illustrated as being mounted upon a plate 102 which is attached to the upper surfaces of the bearing members 29.

It has been previously mentioned that the front wheel frame supporting structure is provided with gears 32 and the manner in which these gears are supported upon the frame and co-operate with the rack members 30 and 33 is perhaps best illustrated in Figs.

4 and 9 wherein it will be noted that the front wheel supporting frame is provided with oppositely disposed bearings 110 adapted to receive a shaft 111 upon which the gears 32 are keyed. `The front wheel frame 21 includes oppositely disposed supporting channels 111', theupper outer edges of which are 'provided with oppositely isposed guide channels 112 adapted to receiveI co-operatively formed flanges 113 Awhich are best illustrated in Fig. 9 as being provided upon the inner edge of the rac an les 43 and 46, respectively.

n order that ,the pivoted rack sections 33 may be held against an oscillating movement in a horizontal plane, the rear ends of these members are provided with eye members or loops indicated at 115 which are adapted to be received by guide rods 116 supported upon a transverse channel 41 inthe trailer frame.

The tongue 22, by means of which the trailer is connected with the tractor, is perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein it will be noted that this member is of a tele- Ascoping nature embodying a sleeve 120-which is keyed to an I-section 121 and which slidably receives the forward or plunger section of the tongue 122.

The plunger section is provided with a slot supporting channels or )son 123 through which a lfixed pin 124 in the forward end of the sleeve extends and the rearA end of the plunger and the rear end of they sleeve are provided with co-operatn apertures indicated at 125 which are adapte to receive a lookin pin 126. Thisstructure admits the use of e same unit for connecting the trailer withthe tractor when the same is 1n the assembled relation shown in Fig. 1, the trailer being `drawn independently or when in the position of aunit shown in Fig. 2 in which the trailer is supported as a semi@ trailer.

It will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 and in Figs. 4 and 10 that the front end of the tongue 22 is attached to the rear end of the turn table 62, as indicated at 22a, when the trailer is being used as a semi and is connected directly to the truck frame at 226 when the trailer is being drawn independently.

' The locking units embodying engagement plates 55, which are adapted to retain the pins 53 and 53 in the relative positions shown 1n Figs. 4 and 5, are perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 5, the details of the'construction bel ing more clearly shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

In the last two mentioned figures it will be noted that the locking plates and 55' are pivotally mounted upon the upper surfaces of the lower sections 54 of the Z-frames 50 by means such as bolts 130. The plates 55 and 55 are designed more or less in the form of circular segments in which the outer angles have been cut oli, leaving fiat surfaces 131 and 131.` The' curved surfaces of these segments, indicated at 132 and 132', are provided with oppositely disposed and similarly formed notches indicated at 133 and 133.

-It will be noted from the illustration of pin53 moves into engagement with the oppositelypdisposed notches 133, the `engagement plates 55 are rotated to a position at which the pin is enclosed within a circular sleeve or aperture formed by two oppositely positionednotches in the two plates and, in order that the pin may be retained in such position, a locking plate indicated by reference numeral 135 is illustrated as being mounted upon a rotatable shaft 136 which is supported transversely across the Z-rames 50. These plates are so disposed as to drop into engagement with the outer edges 137 and 137 of the pivoted engaging plates when the engaging plates are in the position shown in It will be understood that, when the plates 55 are in locked position relative to a pin 53, it is necessary, in order to withdraw the pin, to rotate the locking plate 135 to a position of disengagement with the two engaging plates. This rotation is effected by means such as a handle 138..

A sugporting bar 139 is provided between the Z- ames to receive the locking plates the invention shown in Fig. 5 that, when a assigns l 135 when in a disengaged position as in'dcated in the'dot an sh line position on the left and full position on the ri ht shown in Fig.. 15 whereln it will be note that the locking plates are also provided with an angularly extending lug 140 which is adapted to vbe en aged by the pin 53 during its wit-hdrawal rom the engaging plates 55 and by such engagement the locking plate is, returned tothe position shown in 'full lines in Fig. 15 where lit will be moved by gravity to a locking position upon the inward movement of the engaging plates by the reception of the pin 53.

In order that the engaging plates may be yieldably held toward a neutral position such as is shown in Fig; 15, the outer edges 131 and 131 of these plates are engaged by resilient members such as the steel springs 141 and 141. These springs 'may be supported upon the inner surface of the Z-frames in any suitable manner such as the bolt and collar construction generally indicated at 142 and 142.

It will be noted in Fig. 5 that the trailer is provided with a locking unit 144 and a similar unit 144.upon the forward and intermediate section of the trailer frame, respectively and it will also be apparent that, by providing the notches 133 and 133 on opposite sides of the point of tangency between the two plates 55 and 55', each of these units may be employed in locking the pins advancing toward the same from either direction.. In other words, the unit 144 may be used to lock the trailer member upon the rear end of the tractor or to lock the front wheels of the trailer in the forward position shown in Fig. 1. s The locking plate operating handle indicated at 138 may be connected with a similarly formed handle 138 adapted to co-operate with the rear locking organization 144. The rear lock 144 is a safety feature in this invention and may be considered as being optional when the tongue 22 is used to connect the tractor and trailer.v

This construction admits the disengagement of both the front wheel lock and the tractor lock simultaneously.

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a modified form of lifting organization for the power ad-v vancing unit 25. Instead of using the hydraulic .hoist in this organization, the bearing plate 65 is supported by means of a pair ofoppositely disposed shafts 150 which in turn are provided with eccentric gears 151, the gears being adapted to engage co-operatively formed and correspondingly eccentric gears 152 which are mounted upon shafts 153 which are supported by the tractor frame. The shafts 153 carry worm wheels 154 which are adapted to be rotated by worms 155 mounted upon a drive shaft 156 which may be rotated from the transmission as was mentioned in connection with the hydraulic hoist and the to start the operation of the tion. It embodies certainjfeatures of novelty power advancing unit. In this formf of the invention the lower surface of the jbearing plate 65 is rovided with suitable guide means, genera ly-indicated at 62..

Figs. 20 and 2l illustrate a modified form of trailer in which means `are provided for retracting the yfront wheels independently of any connection betweenthe tractor and the trailer. 1

In this embodiment -of the `invention it will be noted that a pulley 160 is mounted on the trailer behind the pivoted rack sections 33a. A cable 161 extends over thel u1 ley 160 and a forward pulley 162 is provided in the trailer ahead of the forward position of the front wheel frame 21a. The cable 4161v extends over this pulley and opposite ends of the cable are attached to the trailerframe as indicatedat 163 and 164, The pulley 162 may be provided with a power unit such as indicated at 166, this unit'being provided with a suitable trip mechanism wh1ch operates when the front wheels are disenga ed from the lock and the relative movement etween the trailer and thetractor is initiated. Such a mechanism (not shown) is effective pulley 162 and thereby effect a movement of t e front wheels in a forward or rearward direction depend,

`ing on whether the trailer is being retracted from or mounted upon the tractor.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that this invention embodies a tractor and trailer organization which is simple in its construction and which may be employed to carry loads far in excess of those now carried by the units in practical operawhich may be-used independently; and it will be understood that, while I have herein described one specific. embodiment of the invention and indicated various modifications, the invention is not ylimited to the precise construction set forth but includes within its scope whatever changes fairly come within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front wheels which are movable relative to the` rear wheels of said trailer;

lpower means interposed between said tractor member and said trailer member for efectlng relative movement between the rear wheels of said trailer and the rear wheels of said tractor; and means for holding the front end of said tractor to/a positionat which the rear of the tractor carries the weight of the front of thetrailer, said means includingl Ypower driven pinions mounted on said trac- -trailer'during the advance of the front end of said trailer tractor.

4. A tractor and semi-trailer organization over the rear end of said embodying: a tractor member; a trailer. member having front and rear wheels; power means including a power driven pinion on the'rear of said tractor and a coo erating rack on said trailer for drawing tlie front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at l,which the rear of the said tractor carries the weight of the front of the trailer; and means for locking the front end of said trailer over the rear end 'of said tractor, said means including a fixed pivot point on said tractor in sliding engagement with the forward end of sai y trailer.

5. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having frontiand rear wheels; power means on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor carries the weight of the front of the trailer; means for moving the front wheels of said trailer to a retracted position relative to the front end of said trailer; and means for locking the front wheels of said trailer in this retracted position.

6. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying a tractor member; a trailer member having front and rear wheels; power means on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor 'carries the weight of the front of the trailer; means for moving the front wheels of said trailer to a 'retracted position relative to the front end of said trailer;and means for pivotally supporting said front wheels when in a retracted position so that they are movable in vertical planes relative to the rear wheels of said trailer.

7. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front and rear wheels; power means on the rear of said tractor for .drawing the front end offsaid trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor carries the weight of the front of the trailer; and means for moving the front wheels of said trailer to a retracted position relative to the front end of said trailer; and means for holding the front wheels of said trailer substantially in alignment with the rear wheels thereof while the front wheels are in a retracted position.

8. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front and rear wheels; power means on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor carries the weight of the front of the trailer; and means for' moving the front wheels of said trailer to a retracted position relative to the front end of said trailer; and means for holding the front wheels of said trailer substantially in alignment with the rear wheels thereof while the front wheels are in a retracted position; and means for locking the iront wheels against movement in a horizontal plane while'in a retracted position.

9. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying a tractor member ;a trailer member having front and rear wheels; power means on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor carries the wei ht of the front of the trailer; and means or moving the front wheels of said trailer to a retracted position relative to the front end of said trailer; and means for holding the front wheels of said trailer substantially in alignment with the rear wheels thereof, while the front wheels are in a retracted position; means for pivotally supporting said front wheels when in a retracted position so that they are movable in vertical planes relative to the rear wheels of said trailer; and means for locking said front wheels in the retracted position.

10. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front and rear wheels; forward releasable locking means on said trailer for locking the front wheels of said trailer in a forward position; power means on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor; means for moving the front wheels of said trailer toward the rear end of said trailer simultaneously with said drawing movement; means on said tractor for engaging theforward locking means on said trailer when said trailer is in an advanced position on said tractor; vand locking means rearwardly mounted on said trailer for holding thefront wheels of the trailer in a retracted position.

11. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front and' rear wheels; forward releasable locking means on said trailer for locking] the front wheels of said trailer in a forward position; power means on the rear of saidtractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end bf said tractor; means for noving the front wheels of said trailer toward the rear end of said trailer simultaneously with said drawing movement; means on said tractor for engaging the forward locking means on said trailer when said trailer is in an advanced position on said tractor; and locking means rearwardly mounted on said tractor for holding the front wheels in a retracted position, the forward and rearward locking means on said trailer being connected for co-operative manipulation.

12. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying a tractor member; a trailer member; and power means interposed between said tractor member and said trailer member and operable independently ofthe movement of said tractor member for effecting relative ,horizontal movement between said members,

said power means being vertically adjustable as `a unit relative to said tractor'member. 13. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front and rear wheels; power means, including a power driven pinion gear, on the rear of said tractor for drawing the front end of said trailer over the rear end of said tractor to a position at which the rear of the tractor carries the weight of the front of the trailer; separate means for imparting vertical adjustment to said power means for ei'ccting an initial engagement between said power means andv said trailer.

14, A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; and power means interposed ybetween said tractor member and said trailer member for etfectin g relative movement between said members, said power means embodying oppositely disposed trailer supporting members7 mounted to rotate abouta pivot point on said tractor in a manner to engage said trailer when said trailer is angularly disposed relative to said tractor.

15. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means interposed between said tractor member and said trailer member for effecting relative movement between said members, said power means embodying oppositely disposed cylindrical trailer supporting pinions; and means on said tractor for positively driving said pinions; and oppositely disposed rack members on said trailer adapted to be engaged by said pinions, said rack members having initially inclined portions adapted to effect a combined vertical and horizontal movement of said racks when actuated by said pinions.

maar 1s Y 16.v A tractor and semi-trailer yorganization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means interposed ,between said tractor member and said trailer member for effecting relative movement'between said members, said power means embodying option embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means interposed between said tractor member and said'trailer member for effecting relative movement between said members, said power means embodying oppositely disposed cylindrical trailer support- 1ng pinions, and means on said tractor for positively driving said pinions,; and oppositely disposed rack members on said trailer adapted to be engaged by said pinions, the front ends of said rack members being sloped upwardly.

18. A tractor and semi-trailer organization. embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means interposed between said tractor member and said trailer member and operable independently of the movement of said tractor for effecting relative horizontal movement between said members; a guide member on the rear end of said tractor; and a guide track on said trailer, said guide member comprising a pin fixed on said tractor, l adapted to operate in said guide track.

19. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means interposed between said tractor member and said trailer member and operable independently of the movement 'member; power means interposed between sald tractor member and said trailer member and operable independently of the movement d of said tractor for effect-ing relative horizontal movement between said members; a guide pin on the rear end of said tractor and a guide track on said trailer, the forward end of said guide track -being tapered upwardly.

21. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between .said members, said power means comprisln atransverse shaft rotatably supported y said tractor;`trailer advancing. means, including pinion gears,-

mounted on said shaft and means for imparting rotation to said shaft, said advancing means being constructed so as to impart uniform movement to said trailer during a plurality of shaft revolutions.

22. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member Vhaving `driving means; a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said members, said power means comprising a transverse shaft rotatably supported by said tractor, trailer advancing means mounted on said shaft and means including pinion gears,

operated by said tractor driving means for imparting rotation to said shaft.

23. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member having driving means; a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said members, said power means comprising a transverse shaft rotatably supported by said tractor, trailer advancing ,meansr mounted on said shaft and means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a vertical shaft, cooperating gears interposed between said vertical shaft and said transverse shaft and gear means operable by said tractor driving means for imparting rotation to said vertical shaft.

24. A tractor and semi-tractor organiza-A tion embodying: a tractor member, a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said` tractor and trailer, said powermeans comprising a substantially hori- I zontal rotary table, bearings on said rotary table, a transverse shaft rotatably supported by said bearings, trailer advancing means on said transverse shaft, and means for rotating said shaft.

25. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and trailer, said power means comprising a substantially Ahorizontal rotary table, bearings on said rotary table, a transverse shaft rotatably supported by said bearings, trailer advancing means on said transverse shaft; means for rotating said shaft and means for imparting vertical adjustment to said table.

26. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member, a trailer member; and power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and trailer, said power means comprising a substantially horizontal rotary table; a bearing plate supporting said rotary table, an adjustable support for said bearing plate, shaft bearings on said rotary table, a transverse shaft in said bearings; trailer advancing means on said'shaft and means for rotating said shaft.

27. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; and power means mounted on said .tractor member having driving means for effecting relative movement `between said tractor and trailer, said power means comprising a ksubstantially horizontal rotary table, a bearing plate supporting said rotary table, a hoist member operable by said tractor driving means for adj ustably supporting said rotary table; shaft bearings on said rotary table, a transverse shaft rotatably mounted in said shaft bearings, means for rotating said shaft, and trailer advancing means on said transverse shaft.

28. A tractor and semi-trailer organizationembodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and said trailer, said power means comprising a transverse shaft rotatably mounted on said tractor, means for rotating said shaft, and gears rigidly mounted on said shaft; and rack members on said trailer adapted to engage said gears.

29. A tractor and semi-,trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member; power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and said trailer, said power means comprising a transverse shaft rotatably mounted on said tractor, means for rotating said shaft and gears rigidly mounted on said shaft; and rack members on said trailer, the forward ends of said rack meinbers being flared for engagement with said gears. c t

30. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a. trailer member; power means mounted on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and said trailer, said power means comprising a transverse shaft rotatably mounted on said trac-tor, means for rotating said shaft, and gears rigidly mounted on said shaft; and rack members on said trailer, the forward ends of said rack members being upwardly tapered to effect a lifting movement upon the front end of said trailer during the advance of said racks over said gears. s

31. For use in combination with an organization of the class described, a dual locking unit embodying: a pair of vertica-l pins; a track embodying horizontal guide members spaced apart to receive said pins; and engaging plates pivotally mounted upon said horizontal guide members between said pins,

`said engaging plates having inner curved edges provided with a plurality o'f notches adapted to co-operatively surround either one ofisaid pins when it is moved toward said plates and into enga ent with the inner surfaces of said note es.

32. For use in combination with an or anization ofthe class described, a dual loc g unit embgging: a pair of vertical pins; a track em ying horizontal guide members s aced apart to receive said pins; engaging vp ates pivotall/y mounted upon said horizonsaid notches; and locking (plates adapted to hold the outer edges of sai engaging plates in a pin locking sition when either one of said pins is enc osed within a set of said notches.

33. For use in combination with an or anization .of the class described, a dual loc ng unit embodying: a pair of verticalpins; a track embodying horizontal guide members spaced apart to receive said pins; engaging plates pivotally mounted upon said horizontal guide mem'bers between said`pins, said enga 'ng plates havin inner curved edges provided with a plurality of notches adapted to co-operatively surround either one of said pins when it is moved toward said plates and into engagement with the inner surfaces of said notches; and locking lates adapted to hold the outer edges of sai engaging plates in a pin locking position when either one of said pins is enclosed within a set of said notches, said locking lates being pivoted upon horizontal axes a ove said horizontal guide members and adapted to normally rest upon said engaging plates.

34. For use in combination with an or anization of the class described, a dual loc 'ng unit embodying: a pair of vertical pins; a track embodying horizontal guide members spaced apart to receive said pins; engaging p ates pivotally mounted upon said horizontal guide members between said pins, said engaging plates having inner curved edges provided with notches adapted to co-operatively surround either one of said pins when it is moved toward said plates and into engagement with the inner surfaces of said notches; and locking plates adapted to hold the outer edges of said engaging plates in a pin locking position when either one of said pins is enclosed within a set of said notches, said locking plates being pivoted upon horizontal axes above said horizontal guide members and adapted to normally rest upon said engaging plates; means for rotating saidlocking plates to a disengaging position relative to said engaging plates.

35. For use in combination with an organization of the class described, a locking unit embodying: a vertical pin; a track embodyt bers, said engagingplates having inner curved ing horizontal guide Amembers spaced apart to receive said pin; engaging plates pivotally mounted upon said horizontal guide memedges provided with notches adapted to cooperatively surround said pin when said pin is moved toward saidplates and into engage-A ment with the inner surfaces of said notches; and a locking plate vadapted to hold the outer edges of said engaging 'plates in a pin locking position when said pin is enclosed within said notches, said lockin plate being pivoted upon a horizontal axis a ove said horizontal guide members and adapted to normally rest upon said engaging plates; means for rotating said locking plate to a disengaging position relative to said engaging plates, said locking plates being provided with a projection engagea-ble by said pin when said'locking plate is in a disengaging position and adapted to throw said locking plate into engagement with said engaving plates after the withdrawal of said pin from said engaging plates.

36. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a4 trailer member having a frame; and power means including rotatable gears carried by said tractor for effecting relative movement between said tractor and said trailer, said trailer member embodying a rear wheel frame mounted in fixed relation to said trailer frame, a front wheel frame movable relative to said trailerl a frame, rack means on the underside of said trailer frame adapted to engage said power gears, and gears on said front wheel frame adapted .t0 engage said rack means.

37. A tractor and semi-trailer organization embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member havin a frame; and power means including rotatab e ears carried by said tractor for eecting reative movement between said tractor and said trailer, said trailer member embodying a rear wheel frame mounted in fixed relation to said trailer frame, a front wheel frame movable relative to said trailer frame, rack means on the under side of said trailer frame adapted to engage said power gears; gears on said front wheel frame adapted to engage said rack means; and guide.

means on said front wheel frame adapted to prevent disengagement between the rack and the gears carried by said front wheel frame.

38. A tractor and semi-trailer organiza- ,tion embodying: a tractor member; a trailer member having front wheels which are movable relative to the rear wheels of said trail: er; power means on said tractor member for effecting relative movement between said tractor and said trailer; and a tongue con-` necting the front wheels of said trailer to the rear end of said tractor to hold said front wheels in a fixed position relative to said tractor-.while said relative movement is taking place between said tractor and trailer.

39. A trailer for use in combination with a tion. L

40. A trailer for use in combination with a tractor embodying: a trailer frame;.a rear wheel supporting structure; a front wheel supporting structure movable relative to said rear 4wheel supportin structure; locking means for securing sai front wheel su porting structure in forward and rearwar positions, said trailer frame being providedwith racks; pinions on said front wheel sup i'tin structure adapted to engage said rac an means operable to drive said pinions by the power from said tractor.

41. A trailer for use in combination with a tractor embodying: a trailer frame; a rear wheel supporting structure; a front wheel supporting structure movable relative to said rear wheel su porting structure; locking means for securing said front wheel supportracks."

42. A trailer for use in combination with a tractor embod ing; a trailer frame; a rear wheel supporting structure; a front wheel supporting structure movable relative to said rear wheel supportin structure; locking `means'for securing sai front wheel supporting structure in forward and rearward positions, said-trailer frame being provided with a pair of fixed racks having a rearward pair of racks pivotally 'oined thereto, the rear racks being pivo to swin in vertical planes; pinions on said front w eel supporting structure adapted to engage said racks, and downwardly extending p ate members on opposite sides of said trai er frame adapted to receive said front wheel supporting structure therebetween.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 31st day of Qctober, 1928. i

EDWARD B. COLLINGE.

1porting structure adapted to engage said` los iio

iis 

